Continued coverage

Montebello won the Almont League title, its first since 2002, last year and it appears there is no stopping the Oilers now.

Especially with a bona fide running back. Isaac Mendibles rushed for 1,775 yards and 19 touchdowns last season as a sophomore. It helped that he had an experienced quarterback to take some of that pressure off. The Oilers are breaking in quarterback Angel Hernandez, who coach Pete Gonzalez said has a drop-back passing style.

Schurr has a solid returning front line and that can make a huge difference no matter who is lined up behind it. Danny Rodriguez, Andrew Ortiz, Adrian Ortiz and Matthew Perez will allow the three quarterbacks fighting for a starting berth to settle into position. Perez was last year’s league lineman of the year.

XTRA XTRA!

Look for the Prep Xtra keepsake magazine in your print edition of the paper on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014.

Bell Gardens has some big shoes to fill on offense. The Lancers do return Christopher Orozco, who rushed for 720 of Bell Garden’s 2,265 rushing yards. But Bell Gardens lost a quarterback who passed for nearly 2,100 yards and must replace most of its offensive line.

“I think Schurr will bounce back and Bell Gardens will be a factor” Gonzalez said.

For the first time in his three years at Keppel, coach Aaron Sepulveda has a full coaching staff.

“I actually get to serve as a head coach and do head coaching duties,” he said.

He also said the players have become better because of it.

“You can notice the trajectory,” he said. “There is definite improvement. For example we now have a wide receivers coach and it’s paid palpable dividends. The growth is noticeable.”

San Gabriel and Alhambra are still rebounding from difficult 2013 seasons.

The Moors return four of their five offensive linemen. Alhambra will be dangerous with Nick Giambalvo at quarterback, if he decides to play.

The Matadors are changing offenses from spread to Wing-T. Coach Joe Ledesma said the Matadors have the players to do it.

Bottom line: The Oilers are flying high after winning the league title and a playoff game last year. They won a league title at every level. Mendibles rushed for 1,775 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hernandez had limited time at QB last year, throwing only 48 passes. The development of the line will be the key.

Bottom line: The Spartans are strongest on the offensive and defensive lines and return Perez, the league lineman of the year. “We have more veterans there,” Ramirez said. “We hope those guys end up being our strength.” The starting quarterback job is being battled for by Jose Orduno, Eddie Delgado and Fabian Serracho.

3. Bell Gardens

Bottom line: Orozco rushed for 720 yards last year, but lost his running mate to graduation. Orozco also had 23 passes for 294 yards. The Lancers must break in a new quarterback and most of their offensive and defensive lines.

Bottom line: The Moors return four of their five offensive linemen. QB Nick Giambalvo may opt to play baseball and not play football. Juniors Art Cedello and Julio Garcia are fighting it out to start at the position if he plays only baseball. It was Bergstrom’s first full summer as the Moors’ coach.

Bottom line: The Wing-T offense replaces the spread offense. It’s the offense Ledesma has used for 22 years as an offensive coordinator, including last year at California. “This fits our personnel a lot better and allows for the linemen to be successful,” he said. Ledesma was hired as coach in late March.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Isaac Mendibles, Montebello, RB, Jr.

Mendibles won’t sneak under the radar this season. He rushed for 1,775 yards and 19 touchdowns last season as the Oilers reached the second round of the CIF-SS playoffs.

Danny Moreno, Keppel, Ath., Sr.

Moreno was supposed to play wide receiver or running back last year. But in his first game, he was at quarterback and passed for 122 yards and rushed for 53. He’s back at wide receiver and wherever needed.

BEST OF THE REST

Simeon Poggi, Montebello, RB/DB, Sr., Big defensive plays expected

Matthew Perez, Schurr, OL/OLB, Sr.; Will make Spartans a contender

Enrique Lozano, Montebello, K, Jr. He did not miss a PAT or FG attempt last year

QUOTE WORTHY

“We have more skills players back. How the linemen do is the big question. I know the more they play the more experience they will get. They work hard.” — Pete Gonzalez (Montebello)

“It’s been a short stretch, but we’re teaching the foundation to the things I have been doing and the kids have adjusted well. The kids have really responded to the structure of the program.” — Joe Ledesma (San Gabriel)

“We need to win early in the season to create some momentum and support. I have no idea how our results will be. I know we will score more points because we are a lot further along than last year.” — Aaron Sepulveda (Keppel)